The following was released on Wed., Sept. 6, 2017 by the Fort Wayne-South Bend Diocese:

Fort Wayne, IN—September 6, 2017 In response to the administration’s decision to end the DACA program, the Most Reverend Kevin C. Rhoades, Bishop of Fort Wayne-South Bend issued the following statement:

“A few weeks ago, I wrote a column expressing the Church’s strong support for the Dream Act of 2017. The passage of the Dream Act has even greater urgency now that the DACA program has been cancelled. My heart goes out to our DACA youth and their families who have been left unprotected from deportation and fear for their futures in the United States, their home. I am very saddened and disappointed in the Administration’s termination of the DACA program. I urge our legislators to support the Dream Act. It is a matter not only of mercy, but of justice. I hope and pray that Congress will act soon to protect these young people who were brought to the U.S. as minors and not responsible for the violation of our nation’s immigration laws. America is their home. They are part of our community, our churches, our schools, our workplaces, and our military. May we all stand in solidarity with them during this difficult time!”